Would you force your happy well adjusted kid to private school?

[Anonymous]

Come on... no. Don't do this. I get though, OP, but your child is a human being. There are so many things you can do - supplementation, enrichment, tutors, summer programs, etc. before forcibly taking your kid away from a source of happiness.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is happy, that is a huge factor to consider.

However, keep in mind private schools really differ. It can be much more competitive and harder to stand out. Dynamic of kids and school culture really matters. Some private schools have a very flashy lifestyle and there's a haves and have nots system.

If you care about college outcomes, sometimes it is easier to stand out in a public school where you are at the top.

[Anonymous]

I switched to private for 4th after homeschooling 3rd because of Covid closures. I would not switch now though in your shoes based on what you have said.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is like mine, they make friends everywhere they go.

Consider specific reasons for switching. My kid has benefited from specific things at our private that would not be available in public. It really has to be considered for each school separately.

Our private has been incredible, but they are not all that way.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like your son is doing really well where he is. You not being happy with FCPS is a you problem, not a him problem. Barring some major issue (which I'm assuming you would have mentioned) I think you should work through your frustration on your own and leave him where he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is happy, that is a huge factor to consider.

However, keep in mind private schools really differ. It can be much more competitive and harder to stand out. Dynamic of kids and school culture really matters. Some private schools have a very flashy lifestyle and there's a haves and have nots system.

If you care about college outcomes, sometimes it is easier to stand out in a public school where you are at the top.

Yes, but at some publics you are competing against a few hundred other smart kids, whereas privates have a smaller peer group.

[Anonymous]

NO!! Been there, done that and my son was unhappy though he did make a few new close friends. The private school curriculum was more challenging, stronger in language arts (writing, reading, foreign languages), emphasized homework and projects, but not stronger than FCPS in math or science. Some of the privates are also struggling with teacher retention and burnout. I don't think his instruction was better that FCPS, certainly not worth the 10s of thousands we spent.

We're now looking into supplementing with tutors and homeschool lessons in math and science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NO!! Been there, done that and my son was unhappy though he did make a few new close friends. The private school curriculum was more challenging, stronger in language arts (writing, reading, foreign languages), emphasized homework and projects, but not stronger than FCPS in math or science. Some of the privates are also struggling with teacher retention and burnout. I don't think his instruction was better that FCPS, certainly not worth the 10s of thousands we spent.

We're now looking into supplementing with tutors and homeschool lessons in math and science.

Evaluate each school separately. Our private is great with math and science.

[Anonymous]

Why would you move him? What do you hope to get out of a new school? What specifically do you imagine would be different?

I have one kid in private and one in public. They would each be absolutely miserable at the other's school. Private isn't inherently better.
Also, think about whta you can do for him with those tens of thousands of dollars each year - is there a special program or camp that he would love and may help him develop whatever it is you think he's missing at his public school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a very happy social sixth grade son. He is a solid student, is part of student council, plays multiple sports, has lots of friends and all around good kid. We have not been happy with FCPS since Covid. He is adamant that he does not want to switch schools and leave his friends.

Would you force him to switch?

I know he will make new friends immediately.

Maybe, it really depends on the reasons for the switch in the first place. Kids are always adamant about that sort of thing unless they are miserable at the school. It also depends on the new school, the culture there, etc. It's a very individual decision, and if you post specifics (eg we want to leave Chesterbrook/McLean district for Potomac) you will still get a lot of opinions that are strong but not necessariy helpful to you as a family.

[Anonymous]

Probably not - I sent my kids to private during the pandemic and I didn't think they offered a better education fwiw.

What specifically about FCPS bothers you? I think the school board and Gatehouse are a bunch of morons, but I like my kids' local schools - so I try to only focus on that.

[Anonymous]

No, I don't think I would in your case. Sounds like your kid is doing really well. We switched out of public because our kid really disliked her school (even though doing well academically and socially) and wanted a different experience. At that age, I think it's important to have buy-in from the kid because the transition will be hard.

[Anonymous]

In 6th grade, no I wouldn’t if the kid is happy. I would if he isn’t happy but is reluctant to move. What is it that you’re not happy about? Because it seems like your kid is happy, is benefiting from opportunities like sports at school, has a social network.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very easy to switch back to public if it truly doesn't work out.

+1. And the inverse is not true. Its hard to get a place in a good private, at any age.